The Culture Colonel

For the past four years, Paul Carney has served as the British Army’s Command Sergeant Major, acting as the critical link between senior leadership and soldiers on the ground. Thoughtful, passionate, and deeply committed to the people he represents, Paul has worked tirelessly to amplify the voices of those often unheard, shaping a culture of learning, honesty, and continuous improvement within the Army. In this episode, Lindsay MacDuff, the Culture Colonel, sits down with Paul for an insightful conversation about leadership, mentorship, and the evolving culture of the military. Paul reflects on his own journey - from his early aspirations to the experiences that have shaped his approach to leadership. He shares why curiosity, self-awareness, and tackling blind spots are essential to personal and professional growth and discusses the challenges of balancing tradition with progress in Army culture. Paul also opens up about his decision not to pursue commissioning, the lessons he’s learned from soldiers at every level, and why he believes we’re all part of one team, working toward a shared goal. As he looks ahead to life after his tenure, he talks about his plans to step back and focus more on family, leaving behind a legacy of advocacy and cultural progress.A compelling and heartfelt conversation about leadership, human connection, and why the best teams never stop learning from one another. We’d love to hear your thoughts at TheCultureColonel@bfbs.com Thank you for listening and take care until next time! Follow Paul: LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/paul-carney-35135929a/  Follow Lindsay: LinkedIn:  linkedin.com/in/lindsay-macduff Instagram: instagram.com/lindsaymacduff/ BFBS Creative is an award-winning, non-profit, creative agency. We specialise in helping the Armed Forces, Defence and government tell their story. If you want to learn more about us – visit our website: https://creative.bfbs.com/ Please feel free to email The Culture Colonel at:  TheCultureColonel@bfbs.com 

The Culture Colonel is back. And we’re still asking the questions that matter.What makes a leader?What shapes a culture?And what happens when we stop pretending everything’s fine?In Series 2, our podcast host Lindsay MacDuff returns with more honest, powerful conversations about leadership, identity, and the culture we create around us.This time, we go even deeper.From stories of people who’ve had to hide who they really are, to those tackling suicide prevention head-on… From the corridors of power to the heart of the battlefield… These conversations explore the resilience it takes to lead, and the vulnerability it takes to change.Expect reflection. Expect discomfort. Expect courage.At The Culture Colonel, we choose to speak, we choose to listen, we choose to learn.Series 2 launches Wednesday 23rd April. Follow now, wherever you get your podcasts.📧 Get in touch: theculturecolonel@bfbs.com🔗 Follow LindsayLinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/lindsay-macduffX: twitter.com/Scruff4284  BFBS Creative is an award-winning, non-profit, creative agency. We specialise in helping the Armed Forces, Defence and government tell their story. Learn more about us: creative.bfbs.comFollow us: linkedin.com/company/bfbscreative

Welcome to our series finale where we share the highlights from our Leading Storytellers event.You'll hear how and why we make the podcast as BFBS Creative's Head of Content Alex Griffiths puts The Culture Colonel, Lindsay Macduff and Senior Audio Producer Josella Waldron on the spot in front of a live audience.You'll also hear Alex in conversation with a panel of our podcast guests - Gemma Morgan, Steve Prest and Victoria Kinkaid.There's highlights from the series and a little behind the scenes surprise at the end!We're back with more courageous conversations in the new year! You can drop us a line while you are waiting theculturecolonel@bfbs.com**We need your help to shape the British Army's new LGBTQ+ Podcast! Are you connected to the British Army and passionate about LGBTQ+ representation? Whether you're currently serving. a veteran, a family member or a potential recruit, we want to hear from you! We’re developing a podcast series celebrating and exploring LGBTQ+ experiences within the British Army community. Your input will help us ensure it’s authentic, inclusive, and meaningful. We'd be hugely grateful if you could spare 5 - 10 mins to complete an anonymous questionaire. Deadline for responses: 31st Jan 2025. Click here to share your thoughts: survey Thank you!**Thanks for listening and take care until next time!The Culture Colonel is made by BFBS Creative.Lindsay MacDuff - PresenterJosella Waldron - ProducerPaul Osbourne - Sound EditorGeorgia Finch and Precious Kindipan - Production ManagersAshley Wilkie - Series ArtworkTom Hattam - Social VideosOriginal Music - Will FarmerExecutive Producer - Alex GriffithsFollow Lindsay:LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/lindsay-macduff  X: twitter.com/Scruff4284 BFBS Creative is an award-winning, non-profit, creative agency. We specialise in helping the Armed Forces, Defence and government tell their story. Learn more about us: creative.bfbs.comFollow us: linkedin.com/company/bfbscreative

What's improved the lived experience of women in the Armed Forces over the last two decades? Warrant Officer Sim Rezazadeh-Wilson knows and she's pushing for more longer term change. Sim is a Royal Air Force Logistics Movement specialist.  She is the Deputy Advocate for the RAF’s Gender Network and she's on the committee of the Healing Military Minds fund raising machine. Proud of her Persian ancestry and her 22 years of service in the RAF, here she reflects on the importance of positivity and her drive to be a better person than the day before.  It's clear she's got commitment and passion in abundance.  She's also motivated by making other people’s lives better, empowering junior women and she reminds us that everyone’s voice matters – even if you don’t have a “big badge”. Join Sim and Lindsay as they discuss encouraging quotations, brilliant books and the importance of challenging respectfully. We’d love to hear your thoughts at TheCultureColonel@bfbs.com  Thank you for listening and take care until next time!  Quotations: “If you don’t know your purpose, follow your passion.” – Jennifer Lee “There’s a special place in hell for women who don’t support other women” – Madeleine Albright  Books Referenced: “Leading Gracefully” Monique Svazlian Tallon “Positive Vibes” by Vex King Other Articles mentioned by Sim: Kate Winslet interviews about women’s appearances: bbc.co.uk/news/articles/c05jr43dejjoFollow Sim: LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/sim-rezazadeh-wilsonInstagram:  instagram.com/sim_rezazadeh/ X:  twitter.com/SimRezazadehFollow Lindsay:LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/lindsay-macduff  X: twitter.com/Scruff4284 BFBS Creative is an award-winning, non-profit, creative agency. We specialise in helping the Armed Forces, Defence and government tell their story. Learn more about us: creative.bfbs.com

Reverend (Group Captain) Ruth Hake is the Royal Air Force’s Deputy Chaplain in Chief. Here she shares her remarkable journey to becoming a Royal Air Force padre; not least her reticence to be a vicar. Ruth discusses the unique role of chaplains in the Armed Forces and their vital work to provide pastoral and spiritual support.   Ruth reflects on the value of appropriate vulnerability; something that Gemma Morgan also discussed in Episode 6 (“Captain Morgan’s lost her marbles” Link below). She discusses culture change, the difficulty of challenge and how best to do this. Finally, Ruth reminds us to think about how we make our people feel and the impact and power of an apology. Join Ruth and Lindsay MacDuff as they ruminate on leading well with care and compassion. We’d love to hear your thoughts at TheCultureColonel@bfbs.com  Thank you for listening and take care until next time!Listen to episode 6 with Gemma Morgan on Apple Podcasts: podcasts.apple.com and Spotify:open.spotify.com/episode  Follow Lindsay:LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/lindsay-macduff  X: twitter.com/Scruff4284 BFBS Creative is an award-winning, non-profit, creative agency. We specialise in helping the Armed Forces, Defence and government tell their story. Learn more about us: creative.bfbs.com

Tim “Grimmers” Grimley is a Captain in the Royal Navy who unexpectedly became the Lead Ally to the Naval Servicewomen’s Network, a role which has opened his eyes to the experience of women in the Armed Forces.From ill-fitting kit to poor supplies of period products, Grimmers is always keen to learn about the difficulties servicewomen are faced with and how they impact combat effectiveness.He tells Lindsay MacDuff why it's important for leaders to have courageous conversations.Grimmers is completely committed to encouraging men to lead organisational culture change. He stresses that leaders at every rank and grade have a part to play in changing culture. He's also got some top tips for how to be a better male ally.We’d love to hear your thoughts at TheCultureColonel@bfbs.com  Thank you for listening and take care until next time! Grimmers mentions a previous episode of this podcast featuring Steve Prest - you can listen here:Spotify: open.spotify.comApple: podcasts.apple.comQuotations: “Until the observers are punished as severely as those who perpetrate the crimes, the culture will never change” – Anonymous women in Army evidence to HCDC Women in the Armed Forces Report (https://committees.parliament.uk/writtenevidence/125890/pdf/) Books Referenced: “Invisible Women” by Caroline Criado Perez “The Accidental Sexist” Gary Ford, Stephen Koch and Dr Jill Armstrong (https://www.theaccidentalsexist.com/) Follow Lindsay:LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/lindsay-macduff  X: twitter.com/Scruff4284 BFBS Creative is an award-winning, non-profit, creative agency. We specialise in helping the Armed Forces, Defence and government tell their story. Learn more about us: creative.bfbs.com